It appears to cause apoptosis. This means that steroids such as dexamethasone can trigger the destruction of myeloma cells. Typically dexamethasone is given with other agents - such as vincristine, doxorubicin, thalidomide or lenalidomide - to treat MM. It has been found that steroids can increase the ability of chemotherapeutic and immunomodulatory agents such as lenalidomide to destroy myeloma cells.